Search - Human League :: Crash

Very good

George | Philadelphia, PA | 05/20/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"many critics and fans have said this is human leagues worst album. i disagree. i think its one of their best. it includes some of their most beautiful songs like human, are you ever coming back, love is all that matters, and i need your loving. looking back, maybe using jam and lewis as their producers wasn't their best move but at least it brought them their biggest hit, human, and i think helped them survive their one hit wonder status. get this album, it really is good."

Human Leage Experiments With Minneapolis Funk.

The Groove | Boston, MA | 09/04/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After a handful of hits in the early 1980s, the Human League's streak came to a halt with the release of 1984's "Hysteria," which had the flop single "The Lebanon." Phil Oakey and Co. needed to prove that they weren't a flash in the Totally 80's pan, and, strangely enough, they hooked up with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for their 1986 album "Crash." It's a departure from their ice-cold, synth-heavy work, but, remarkably, the Minneapolis funk Jam and Lewis bring nicely compliments the group. Of course, there's the hit "Human," but the League don't turn it loose until the we get to the stomper "I Need Your Loving," which is probably as funky as anything the Time recorded back in the day. "Swang" swings along nicely, but the song that brings the house down is the excellent "Love is All That Matters." While "Crash" didn't steer the League into r&b territory for long, it was a welcome diversion that makes it one of their most interesting albums."

Crash and Burn

The Groove | 04/18/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's a shame music critics were not too kind to this album or that the only place it went was into the cutout clearance bins at your local record/c.d. shop. A lot of critics and die-hard Human League fans claimed that this project was too Americanized or pop driven by producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The only gem of the album for the Human League and for many listeners was the hit song Human. What I appreciated most about Crash was that the Human League displayed a warm and enjoyable (letting loose, if you will) type of dance or club sound. Of course it sounded "American"--whatever that means; the album was produced here in the U.S. by mega-talented producers Jam & Lewis from FlytTyme Productions ( responsible for contributing to the successes of Janet Jackson, S.O.S. Band, Cherelle, and Alexander O'Neal). Crash had that mid 80's chart topping R&B Minneapolis sound which still sounds just as fresh today. Crash also demonstrated that the Human League did not necessarily have to adhere to their usual heavily synthesized and often cold sounding material which catapulted them to the top back in the early 80's with Don't You Want Me ! I must admit,even though this album sounded great, the last few tracks started to sound redundant until it slightly picked up again with the last track titled Love Is All That Matters. I think what disturbed critics of this album is that some songs were produced by Jam & Lewis while the others were produced or written by the Human League and their own writing team which may have caused a notable inconsistency in style. Despite the fact that this album "crashed and burned" on the charts and with many critics, it is worth a listen and your few dolllars if you find it in the cutout clearnace bins or at a used c.d. shop..."